Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre opens its virtual doors

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has partnered with Christchurch-based extended reality (XR) technology company JIX Reality to launch a virtual tour of the centre. The result is virtual tour that can be viewed online, or using a smartphone, iPad or virtual reality headset, with a separate iPad app also available.

Each experience starts at Te Pae Christchurch’s main Oxford Terrace entrance and Ground Floor Foyer before guests visit the centre’s array of spaces.

Depending on the viewing method, the tour either follows a pre-determined path, or users can undertake a self-guided 360 degree experience and visit specific spaces.

Te Pae Christchurch general manager, Ross Steele, said: “Christchurch is well-known for being innovative and pushing the envelope in those areas where it has the expertise and passion to make a difference, so it’s little surprise that hi-tech solutions are one of the city’s growth industries.

“JIX Reality is a great example of this, the team are forward-thinking and creative – they came up with some industry-leading ideas and had the technological capability to make it a reality. And when we needed to look at solutions that would allow us to open our doors, so to speak, while the borders remained closed – they quickly adapted our new virtual product to suit.”

JIX Reality founder and CEO, Sakthi Ranganathan, said: “We have a flexible approach to development that allows for adaptations to unforeseen circumstances like the current pandemic, and in fact over time, the final product evolved from being solely a virtual reality experience to being an experience that can be enjoyed virtually by anyone anywhere in the world, regardless of device.

“We are excited to continue the partnership with Te Pae Christchurch and look forward to rolling out many more digital experiences that will be the first of their kind in New Zealand".

To download the tour, click here.